Wildcats Reach Century Mark in Final Home Game of 2023, Defeat Mount Mercy, 101-69

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Marking their fifth straight win, the Baker men's basketball continued their hot start to conference play on Saturday, behind a huge second half as the Wildcats defeated Mount Mercy, 101-69.

Baker had 12 different players score in double figures on Saturday with Noah Rigatuso leading the way with 25 points, while Ahmed Mahgoub put up a huge season-high 21 points. Korey Jones and Quentin Harvey were the only other two Wildcats to reach double figures, both scoring 10 points.

Baker beat Mount Mercy in almost every category, winning the rebounding battle 44-31, while also not giving up a single second chance point. As a team, Baker hit 10 three-pointers, shooting 47.6 percent, while shooting 57.4 percent from the field.

Baker was able to hold throughout most of the first half, but with 6:31 to play until halftime, the Mustangs hit a three to take a 28-26 lead. Mount Mercy was able to pull out to a 33-28 lead, but the Baker defense buckled down and only gave up one more basket for the rest of the half as they finished the half on a 17-2 run and took a commanding 45-35 lead into the break.

Baker took that momentum from the first half and did not let up in the second half as they outscored Mount Mercy 56-34 in the second half. Baker held a lead as large as 39 points in the second half and with 2:51 to play, Braden Griffiths knocked down a triple to help Baker reach the century mark. Brodie Pollock was then able to add one more free throw before the end of the game as Baker went on to win, 101-69.

Baker is now 10-3 on the season and 8-1 in Heart of America Conference play. The Wildcats will be back in action next Tuesday, Dec. 19, when they travel to Atchison, Kan., to take on Benedictine at 7:30 p.m., for their final game of 2023.

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